Photo courtesy of Air Data News

 

Former Thai Airways International board member Banyong Pongpanich has urged the Thai government to sell all its shares in the airline to prevent a recurrence of political meddling and bureaucratic obstacles. Speaking at a forum organised by the Thai Journalists Association, Banyong highlighted how the airline's successful recovery was due to its reduced state enterprise status when the government's shareholding fell below 50%.

 

As of March 14, 2025, the Ministry of Finance is the largest shareholder, with 38.9% of the shares, down from 47.9% in December 2024. Thai Airways resumed trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand on August 4. Banyong recounted cumbersome processes from the past, where acquiring a new aircraft required multiple approvals, leading to long delays and mismatched purchases due to inflexible state rules.

 

Joining Piyasvasti Amranand, a current board member, and CEO Chai Eamsiri, Banyong criticised political appointments to the board, which often lacked business expertise. He stated that selecting executives based on loyalty rather than merit had harmed the airline’s competitiveness. He credited Thai Airways' turnaround to its removal from state enterprise status and the appointment of skilled executives.

 

Banyong advocated for complete government divestment, pointing to the UK model where the government holds no airline shares. This, he argued, would strengthen fiscal stability and signal a commitment to market discipline. Piyasvasti also cautioned against continued governmental interference, warning that such actions could revert Thai Airways to its troubled past.

 

Looking ahead, there are concerns that if positions continue to be filled based on political loyalty, the airline could relapse into inefficiency. The focus is now on ensuring that qualified professionals lead the way forward for Thai Airways, maintaining its competitive edge in the market.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Banyong Pongpanich stresses the need for Thai Airways to go fully private.
• Current government shareholding stands at 38.9%, with a call to reduce it further.
• Risks of political interference remain if key positions are filled without considering merit.

 

Related Stories:

 

Thai Airways Ditches First Class in Major Cabin Overhaul

Thai Airways Soars with 12 Billion Profits in Q2 2025

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-09-25

 

 

They wont like that no more freebees

Almost 100 years ago social scientists had started talking about meritocracy; time to catch up. I will say Thai Airways is not a bad consumer experience, but they could be as good as EVA with some effort. 

On 9/25/2025 at 6:48 AM, webfact said:

Former Thai Airways International board member Banyong Pongpanich has urged the Thai government to sell all its shares in the airline to prevent a recurrence of political meddling and bureaucratic obstacles.

So out with the truth now... it went broke because of government meddling and freebies.

I wonder what the perks given to gub'ment officials are actually costing them?

 

A nice summary of much that's wrong with Thai government and enterprise.

And who signs for the free tickets and other benefits of all those goons at the Air Force and the Ministry of Finance "overseeing" the orderly conduct of management at Thai Airways? Just asking as it went wrong before ......... or am I getting that wrong as well? 

On 9/25/2025 at 1:50 PM, Enzian said:

but they could be as good as EVA 

 

Butt do they want to? Remember when the poor flight attendant was forced to wipe this stud's a ss?   He kept moaning, saying "deeper, you've got to go deeper".   It should be part of the training for all female flight attendants (the males are probably experts already).